King Kamehameha Day in Hawaii

Today, there is a good reason to remember one of the U.S. states, that is remote from the mainland by nearly four thousand kilometers. Annually 11 June in Hawaii, as well as in some parts of the United States, is widely and loudly celebrate one of the oldest public holiday — Day of the King Kamehameha (King Kamehameha Day).

King Kamehameha Day was proclaimed in 1871 by King Kamehameha V in honor of his great grandfather — King Kamehameha I, or, as it is often called, Kamehameha the Great. According to the royal decree, the first King Kamehameha Day was marked by June 11, 1872. Interestingly, this day was one of the first events, which was proclaimed after the status of Hawaii the 50th state of the United States on August 21 in 1959.

Kamehameha the Great was reigning monarch of the Hawaiian islands since 1782 and until the very last day of his life, May 8 in 1819. He is very well known and respected people for their contribution to the union of the islands and the base of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. Also during his reign have passed laws that defend human rights during the military operations. Kamehameha the Great went down in history as an honest and stable policies. Interestingly, the name of the king is translated as "lonely" or "loneliness", and is sometimes referred to as the ruler of "Napoleon of the Pacific Ocean».

Traditionally royal festivities of the day include the holding of fairs, carnivals, sporting events, as well as horse runnings. One of my favorite sights of both local residents and tourists a floral parade in Honolulu, during which the statue of the Great Monarch luxuriously decorated with traditional Hawaiian garlands of flowers.

Many government offices and schools are closed on that day, and public transport runs on a limited schedule. Some stores may also be closed.